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has anyone installed solar panels at their home?
10 Answers
We are moving house and I have been considering the effect of installing solar panels on the roof. I obviously have loads of questions. How mich do they cost? Is the installation messy? Are there any maintainence issues? Anything else I need to know?
Thanks everyone
Thanks everyone
Answers
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In Bangalore, India, all new houses that are being constructed have their own solar panels installed on the roof. These panels are connected to the water geysers in the bathroom. There is no dearth of hot water during winter season. The installation is neat. Initial cost of course is there but the benefits are plenty. No electricity bills on such consumption.
I think you are writing this from the U K. There may not be as much sun shine as in India but I am sure you too will repeat the rewards of such a project.
I think you are writing this from the U K. There may not be as much sun shine as in India but I am sure you too will repeat the rewards of such a project.
Have looked into this myself as well as groundsource heat pumps inspired by watching Grand Designs.
As stated above if a hot n sunny climate it's ideal but here in the UK it may be many years before you start to see a return on your money.
There are 2 types of solar panels pv (photovoltaic) which produce low voltage electricity needs a bank of batteries to store the excess in (people need more electricity when the sun has gone down ) and an inverter to boost it up to mains voltage for use in the home.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_modu le
The other type are called solar collectors and are used to produce hot water. They are filled with a type of anti freeze liquid which is circulated via a pump to your hot water cylider where it is used to heat the water in the cylinder.
As you can imagine in the UK this will at best produce lukewarm water, so you will need to boost it up by using either a gas boiler or immersion heater. Article here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_col lector#Disadvantages
As for costs a hot water system will set you back around �6000 to �9000 depending on your property size. Not sure about pv systems but unlikely to cost much less.
A Gshp system will set you back around �25000 or more for a 3 bed semi and you will need a lage area of ground prep south facing and unshaded for it to work.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_source_hea t_pump
Lots of info here
http://www.energysavingtru
As stated above if a hot n sunny climate it's ideal but here in the UK it may be many years before you start to see a return on your money.
There are 2 types of solar panels pv (photovoltaic) which produce low voltage electricity needs a bank of batteries to store the excess in (people need more electricity when the sun has gone down ) and an inverter to boost it up to mains voltage for use in the home.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_modu le
The other type are called solar collectors and are used to produce hot water. They are filled with a type of anti freeze liquid which is circulated via a pump to your hot water cylider where it is used to heat the water in the cylinder.
As you can imagine in the UK this will at best produce lukewarm water, so you will need to boost it up by using either a gas boiler or immersion heater. Article here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_col lector#Disadvantages
As for costs a hot water system will set you back around �6000 to �9000 depending on your property size. Not sure about pv systems but unlikely to cost much less.
A Gshp system will set you back around �25000 or more for a 3 bed semi and you will need a lage area of ground prep south facing and unshaded for it to work.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_source_hea t_pump
Lots of info here
http://www.energysavingtru
Sorry that link not fully pasted
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-y our-own-energy
To confirm what I posted earlier both types of solar genereators will cost upwards of �8000 will give you a return of �400 p.a. assuming you can sell your excess to the national grid. So will take 20 years before you see a return on your money spent.
Costs and returns for groundsource heat pump
Saving per year CO2 saving per year
Gas �410 1.2 tonnes
Electricity �1000 7 tonnes
Oil �750 1.8 tonnes
Solid �350 6.5 tonnes
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-y our-own-energy
To confirm what I posted earlier both types of solar genereators will cost upwards of �8000 will give you a return of �400 p.a. assuming you can sell your excess to the national grid. So will take 20 years before you see a return on your money spent.
Costs and returns for groundsource heat pump
Saving per year CO2 saving per year
Gas �410 1.2 tonnes
Electricity �1000 7 tonnes
Oil �750 1.8 tonnes
Solid �350 6.5 tonnes
Hi Mummytait :)
We had Solar panels installed 3 yrs ago. Solar-Systems ltd did the job and it cost us �6000 including the special tank and the boiler that was needed. We had to replace the boiler anyway so that was extra expense that may not be needed in your case.
The installation wasn't messy at all, of course.... the system needed draining down... so pipes... water flowing... a few machines and wires and 3 guys running around...climbing up on the roof.... ladders etc... plenty of tea/ coffee making.... but it was all done in a day.
We didn't apply for the grant that the government runs, but it's worth a look... it was �150 when we did the work. You have to apply for the money before you have the work done.
We didn't need planning or building permission.
We haven't needed any maintenance at all.
The gas bills are now zero during the summer and minimal during the winter for hot water, it still reaches 18� in the tank on the coldest days. The panels only need 0.5 light to function.
Today the temp is 28� in the tank and it's a cold grey day...
If you would like, I can send you the pics of the work we had done, the during and after pics of the roof etc.
I hope this helps you in your decisions :D
L.
We had Solar panels installed 3 yrs ago. Solar-Systems ltd did the job and it cost us �6000 including the special tank and the boiler that was needed. We had to replace the boiler anyway so that was extra expense that may not be needed in your case.
The installation wasn't messy at all, of course.... the system needed draining down... so pipes... water flowing... a few machines and wires and 3 guys running around...climbing up on the roof.... ladders etc... plenty of tea/ coffee making.... but it was all done in a day.
We didn't apply for the grant that the government runs, but it's worth a look... it was �150 when we did the work. You have to apply for the money before you have the work done.
We didn't need planning or building permission.
We haven't needed any maintenance at all.
The gas bills are now zero during the summer and minimal during the winter for hot water, it still reaches 18� in the tank on the coldest days. The panels only need 0.5 light to function.
Today the temp is 28� in the tank and it's a cold grey day...
If you would like, I can send you the pics of the work we had done, the during and after pics of the roof etc.
I hope this helps you in your decisions :D
L.
Good balance of answers, IMHO.
Luxury's answer is first-class but kind of demonstrates why such systems in the UK are not (currently) cost effective.
Buildersmate Towers uses about 20% of its heating (CH+DHW) energy in the 6 months from May to October (and the other 80% in the winter 6 months) and that energy currently costs the proprietor around �200 per year.
Now I know interest rates are really low right now, but I reckon I can just about get more than �200 p.a. back on an investment outlay of �6000 in a deposit account.
Of course, if one is desperate to save the planet ...............
Luxury's answer is first-class but kind of demonstrates why such systems in the UK are not (currently) cost effective.
Buildersmate Towers uses about 20% of its heating (CH+DHW) energy in the 6 months from May to October (and the other 80% in the winter 6 months) and that energy currently costs the proprietor around �200 per year.
Now I know interest rates are really low right now, but I reckon I can just about get more than �200 p.a. back on an investment outlay of �6000 in a deposit account.
Of course, if one is desperate to save the planet ...............
So how much do your bills come in at now? - that's the key issue. Do the maths and you will find mine are �1000 on CH/DHW. Yours were �1200.
I repeat my assertion that the savings is in the 6 months of the summer - when one needs DHW only anyway. So the savings are modest.
Don't get me wrong - no harm in investing in these things - just don't expect massive returns.
GSHPs will be the way to go (eventually) - at least in the UK.
I repeat my assertion that the savings is in the 6 months of the summer - when one needs DHW only anyway. So the savings are modest.
Don't get me wrong - no harm in investing in these things - just don't expect massive returns.
GSHPs will be the way to go (eventually) - at least in the UK.
Hi Buildersmate,
Our gas bills over the last 12months came in at �180 for GCH only, we don'tuse gas for anything else.
Obviously showering in 18� temp of water aint on in the winter so it gets 10 min top up with the overide immersion whilst in the shower then switched off!!! The tank has2coils and the water stays hot. Electricity is �70pm during winter time and minimal in summer as the immersion isn't used.
We heat the house by wood burners in two rooms (a ton of wood �85 delivered) and that heats the house very well (vaulted ceilings and it gets cold lol)
For us, the Solar has worked and heats the water which is why we got it.
L :)
Our gas bills over the last 12months came in at �180 for GCH only, we don'tuse gas for anything else.
Obviously showering in 18� temp of water aint on in the winter so it gets 10 min top up with the overide immersion whilst in the shower then switched off!!! The tank has2coils and the water stays hot. Electricity is �70pm during winter time and minimal in summer as the immersion isn't used.
We heat the house by wood burners in two rooms (a ton of wood �85 delivered) and that heats the house very well (vaulted ceilings and it gets cold lol)
For us, the Solar has worked and heats the water which is why we got it.
L :)
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